Ian Tomlinson's widow speaks out over G20 death

Wednesday 8 April 2009 19.01 EDT
First published on Wednesday 8 April 2009 19.01 EDT

Inside their terrace home in east London, the Tomlinson family sat down last night with a pen and paper and calmly attempted to scribble down their feelings. Everyone, even Ian Tomlinson's youngest teenage daughter, had to agree to the form of words before they handed it over.

After several careful amendments, this is what they wrote: "We really hope that with all this media coverage the officer or officers will come forward. We are grateful for the footage the Guardian obtained, which now turns out to be crucial to the investigation. The family are devastated by the loss of a loving father and we are trying to hold it together."

It was a quiet moment at the end of an often bewildering day, which had seen the last moments of Tomlinson's life broadcast around the world. The footage was flashing on a rolling news channel in the corner of the family's front room.

It was not the first time the children had watched the last, painful seconds of their father's life. They have seen it countless times now, but in their home in the Isle of Dogs last night, they could still not keep their eyes from that screen.

Occasionally they switched their glance to the curtains, as silhouettes with cameras moved past. Outside the small home near the Thames, the media storm had begun; television crews and reporters camped outside, eager for words from the bereaved family.

Displaying the courage and dignity they have shown throughout the last week, Tomlinson's family stepped outside their front door.

For a few brief seconds, the cameras flashed, and their lawyer, Jules Carey, read out a short statement on their behalf. "The family would like to thank the media for bringing crucial evidence about Ian's death to light. Today the IPCC agreed that the investigation would now be an independent criminal investigation. The family have arranged a second postmortem examination to take place later this week."

The family did not want to play to the television cameras or say something in anger that, later, they might regret.

With that weight on their shoulders, they are careful about what they say. In fact, they think deeply about every word.

Tomlinson's widow, Julia, and his five girls and four boys, are determined not to prejudice the police watchdog investigation into his death. For now, the investigators provide the hope for answers and, perhaps, justice.

His eldest sons are stepping up to the mark and looking after their mum and younger sisters.

On their kitchen table, on top of piles of newspapers, was a plastic jar filled with blue ribbons. Another jar was filled with coins. It is a humble beginning, but they hope it is the start of an appeal in his memory.